The city:
Activities

18 JANUARY 2023

Looking for something new to do with friends, family or as a couple in Brisbane? The City has plenty of inspiring entertainment options with something for everyone. Once you’ve explored the most scenic spots and green spaces, head indoors for some recreational fun at our favourite entertainment hotspots.

Holey Moley Golf Club 

Did you know the Wintergarden has a mini-golf course? Grab your putt-putt partners and head to Holey Moley Golf Club to sink some shots in a cool themed course that’s open late. With cocktails and eats available at The Caddyshack, we promise it’s a hole lotta fun. Book online for your day or night on the green. 

Fox in the Box 

Fancy yourself as a master escape artist? Fox in the Box tests your wits with six differently themed interactive escape rooms. Ideal for two to six players, channel your inner Houdini with a one-hour private escape room session at the Edward Street location. Open seven days a week – book online. 

Strike Wintergarden 

Also located upstairs at the Wintergarden complex, Strike is a one-stop entertainment hub with 12 bowling lanes, laser tag arena, pool tables, private karaoke rooms and three escape rooms. It’s the perfect spot to strike out whether you’re into singing, bowling or more complex interactive games. Book online to make sure you don’t miss out on a spot. 

Vault Games 

If you enjoy getting competitive over a board game, you’ll love Vault Games. Pop into the Queen St store and find an extensive range of board games, trading cards and hobby crafts. Better yet, book a table and try a tabletop game before you buy. 

City Hall Clock Tower Tours 

Get a new perspective of The City with a Clock Tower Tour. Take a trip up City Hall’s Clock Tower and take in 90 years of history, complete with a ride in one of Brisbane’s oldest working cage lifts and a peek at the inner workings of Australia’s largest clock faces. Best of all? It’s free. Book your free tour online. 

City Winery brick wall with bottles.

City Winery, Edward Street

City Winery Edward Street Cellar Door 

Take your wine appreciation to the next level at City Winery’s cellar door and wine experience centre. We love the Wine Blending Workshop to learn top vintner techniques with a custom bottle to take home. Or book a Wine and Cheese Pairing experience to sample three Brisbane Gerler wines complemented by cheese selected by the experts. 

Museum of Brisbane 

Located within the historic City Hall building, Museum of Brisbane (MoB) is one of The City’s best-kept secrets. With year-round rotating exhibitions and workshops that traverse Brisbane’s fashion, music, art, cultural and design scenes, it’s an interactive way to immerse yourself in our City. Most exhibitions are free, so book online to secure your entry. 

Karaoke 

Set the mood for a fun time in The City with a karaoke session. The City has a number of karaoke venues where you can belt out your favourite ballads in a private room. As well as the karaoke rooms at Strike Wintergarden that we mentioned above, visit Music City on Adelaide St, which has more than 10 private rooms and new songs added monthly plus the option to BYO. Fat Louie’s on Albert St is another karaoke favourite with mirror balls and banging sound systems to soundtrack your songs. With pool and snooker tables, a dancefloor plus weekend DJs, it’s the perfect spot to cut footloose. 

Brisbane City Markets 

Not strictly indoors, but too good not to include. This farmers market pops up in Reddacliff Place from 8am-6pm on Wednesdays and is a great activity for everyone who wants to fill their bellies on local produce. Make sure to bring some bags as you’ll want to shop up a storm. 

MacArthur Museum Brisbane 

For those who want to deep dive into a little Brisbane history, discover the role that Brisbane played in the Second World War at the MacArthur Museum Brisbane. Located in heritage listed MacArthur Chambers, you and the kids will get to look behind the front lines and learn the stories of the war. 

Movies 

Catching a flick on the big screen is a no brainer for this list. Watch the latest films at Event Cinemas in Uptown or the independent Elizabeth Picture Theatre

High Tea 

The City has a smorgasbord of high teas on offer that will make you feel just a little or a lot fancy. Use the opportunity to get dressed up and indulge your taste buds in all things sweet and savoury. Check out our list of the best places to have high tea in The City. 

Interior of Brisbane Square Library.

Brisbane Square Library, CBD

Brisbane Square Library 

Escape the outdoors and transport yourself to another world with a great book and river views. This multi-storey library is a book lovers oasis, where you can easily spend a few hours catching up on your book in the peace and quiet… did we mention it has air-conditioning. 

Shopping 

Shop ‘til you drop may just be an actual thing in The City. As a shoppers haven The City has a lot on offer for your next shopping spree. Check out our guide to shopping in the Queen Street Mall here. 

FunHouse 

For some family fun or a cute date idea head to FunHouse in Uptown. This arcade will bring you a whole word of gaming fun. Buy tokens, play games to your heart's content, count your tickets and redeem awesome prizes. 

An image of the exterior of the Commissariat Store.

Commissariat Store

 

Commissariat Store 

Built by convicts between 1828 and 1829, the Commissariat Store is Queensland’s most significant and oldest habitable building. Step inside the museum to discover Queensland’s history. There are rotating exhibitions through to more permanent rooms that explore the colonial period of our history. 

QUT Art Museum 

If art is more your thing, then pop into the QUT Art Museum. There are more than 3000 pieces of art in this gallery, making it one of the largest collections in Queensland. Expect a dynamic program of exhibitions from the QUT Art Collection, touring exhibitions and new works by QUT staff and students. 

Friends enjoying a drink at Riverbar.